Blue Sky - Geranium Festival

Ed,
A Geranium Festival is a great idea, starting small. Laurie's idea
of hooking onto another flower show is good.
The only flower show that I am familiar with is the San Francisco
Flower and Garden Show. Formerly this was a volunteer production that
got so big it had to be turned over to professional event creators. In
the past, I think that would have worked. Now it is so big you are worn
out before you see all of the vendors. People have a tendency to bypass
quickly the various society booths as they don't want to miss anything
and figure they can find societies later (and probably forget). Robin
Parer has a very nice sized booth and is very, very busy.
Unfortunately, there are not lots of pelargonium businesses left that
could perhaps rent adjoining spaces for impact. The S.F. area is a real
potential market for pelargoniums of all types as they grow so well
there as they do in southern California. I had a garden of regals as a
child. So, if we could find someone to sell regals, someone for zonals,
ivies, and even maybe species if some were blooming at that time, it
would work.
However, although I am not certain, I think the space is expensive.
In addition, that particular show is about 4 or 5 days long, into the
evening. So, creating your own booth, shelves, getting the plants
there, having help manning the booth, etc. is a real undertaking. It
would be great, but require some major money and work. If instead of a
table off to the side, the society could have a small table in the area
with all the pelargoniums, it would be easier to acquire new members.
I think this could be done in various parts of the US and would
really promote the plants.
Sandy